Inquiry ordered into Chitheri train accident

Railways on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the train accident at Chitheri in Tamil Nadu, which has left nine persons dead.

“The Commissioner Railway Safety, Southern zone, S.K. Mittal will conduct an inquiry into the cause of the accident and submit the report at the earliest, Railway Ministry spokesperson Anil Kumar Saxena said.

He said prima facie the cause of the accident seems to be overlooking of the signal and non-adherence of the speed restriction.

The Chennai Beach-Vellore Cantonment Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) train rammed into the Arakkonam-Katpadi passenger from behind as it was waiting for a signal at Chitheri station on Tuesday night.

About the toll, he said nine persons have been killed and 72 persons injured in the accident out of which 25 were grievously injured.

Asked about the disruption in rail traffic, he said, “Work is going on a war-footing to clear the tracks and the up-line is expected to be operational by 2 pm and the down-line in the Bangalore-Chennai section by 6 pm.